April 18, 2024
News Service of Florida
Gas Prices on the Way Up
The average price of a gallon of gasoline in Florida reached the highest point last week since the end of January, before showing some easing.
But prices are expected to...
Read more »
Published on 4/17/2023
Florida imposes 1% emergency fee on insurance policies
TALLAHASSEE — State insurance regulators last week signed off on a plan that will lead to policyholders throughout Florida paying extra on their bills because of property-insurer insolvencies.
Insurance Commissioner...
Read more »
Published on 4/17/2023
Florida businesses, consumers could see tax breaks
TALLAHASSEE --- The Florida House rolled out a wide-ranging $1.38 billion package of tax breaks for businesses and shoppers, while the Senate continues to work out details of an “aggressive”...
Read more »
Published on 4/13/2023
Higher Loan Interest Rates Eyed
TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow interest rates as high as 36 percent on consumer-finance loans, with supporters saying it would increase access to loans...
Read more »
Published on 4/12/2023
Florida seeks to ban mask, COVID testing rules by businesses
TALLAHASSEE — A House committee on Monday advanced a proposal that would prohibit businesses and government agencies from requiring people to take COVID-19 tests or wear masks to enter their...
Read more »
Published on 4/11/2023
Moody issues a xylazine alert: Prevalence of drug is increasing in state
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a public safety alert for Floridians about the dangers of a xylazine, a powerful veterinary sedative.
Moody discussed the drug’s dangers Wednesday during...
Read more »
Published on 4/10/2023
State Faces Medicaid Class Action Lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE — A judge has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit alleging that Florida’s Medicaid program has violated federal laws by denying coverage for incontinence supplies for adults with...
Read more »
Published on 4/10/2023
Lakeland Challenges Approval of Duke Project
Pointing to concerns about its water supply, Lakeland is challenging a decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection to approve a permit for a new Duke Energy Florida high-voltage...
Read more »
Published on 4/9/2023
Pot Doctor Sues State After Probe
TALLAHASSEE — A medical-marijuana doctor cleared of wrongdoing after an undercover probe is seeking unspecified damages from the Florida Department of Health and two investigators who posed as patients.
A...
Read more »
Published on 4/6/2023
10 Big Issues At Legislative Halftime
TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers Wednesday reached the halfway point in this year’s 60-day legislative session. The House and Senate have passed high-profile bills involving issues such as affordable housing and...
Read more »
Published on 4/6/2023
February Tax Collections Top Forecast
State economists continued to fret about inflation, the housing market and Floridians dipping deeper into personal savings, while announcing this week that February general-revenue tax collections were $6.6 million more...
Read more »
Published on 4/5/2023
State alimony overhaul goes to Full Florida Senate after decade clash
TALLAHASSEE — Could the fourth time be the charm?
After governors have vetoed three previous attempts to change Florida’s alimony laws, the latest proposed revamp is headed to the full...
Read more »
Published on 4/5/2023
Year-Round Schools Backed in Senate
A proposal began moving forward Tuesday in the Florida Senate that would create a year-round school pilot program at a limited number of elementary schools.
The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee...
Read more »
Published on 4/5/2023
Recreational Pot Proposal Tops 635,000 Signatures
Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow recreational use of marijuana are moving closer to meeting a petition-signature requirement.
The state Division of Elections website listed 635,961 valid...
Read more »
Published on 4/5/2023
Site of Holocaust Memorial spurs debate, rejection in Florida Senate
TALLAHASSEE --- As lawmakers consider setting aside a nearby site for monuments, the Senate on Monday rejected a proposed amendment that would have required completing a long-awaited Holocaust memorial in...
Read more »
Published on 4/4/2023
Jobless Claims Lowest Since December
First-time unemployment claims in Florida last week came in at the lowest number since the start of the year.
The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report that...
Read more »
Published on 3/30/2023
Panhandle Bridge Transfer Backed
A proposal that would move Northwest Florida’s Garcon Point Bridge into the state turnpike system is moving forward in both legislative chambers.
The House Transportation & Modals Subcommittee unanimously backed...
Read more »
Published on 3/30/2023
Florida House and Senate advance proposed record spending plans for 2023-2024 year
TALLAHASSEE --- House and Senate budget committees Tuesday quickly advanced proposed record spending plans for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with key differences set to be hammered out after an Easter...
Read more »
Published on 3/29/2023
Citizens to Propose Rate Hikes
The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors on Wednesday will consider a plan that would lead to double-digit rate increases for homeowners across the state.
The plan would lead...
Read more »
Published on 3/29/2023
Florida House looks to speed up land acquisitions by bypassing need for Governor, cabinet approval
TALLAHHASSEE, Fla. — A House panel Monday rolled out a proposal that could help speed up land acquisitions for a proposed statewide wildlife corridor by allowing some deals to bypass...
Read more »
Published on 3/28/2023
Voters could decide constitutional right to hunt and fish on Florida 2024 ballot
TALLAHASSEE — Florida voters next year could decide whether to enshrine a right to hunt and fish in the state Constitution.
House and Senate panels Monday began moving forward with...
Read more »
Published on 3/28/2023
Florida's education fight heads to federal appeals court
TALLAHASSEE — A challenge to a 2022 law restricting classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has gone to a federal appeals court, as state lawmakers and education officials...
Read more »
Published on 3/27/2023
State jobless rate stays at 2.6 percent
TALLAHASSEE --- Florida’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.6 percent in February, with job growth expected to continue in parts of the economy such as leisure and hospitality.
The state...
Read more »
Published on 3/26/2023
Florida jobless claims drop
Florida last week had the lowest number of first-time unemployment claims since the start of the year, as the state prepares to update jobless numbers on Friday.
The U.S. Department...
Read more »
Published on 3/24/2023
Appeals court allows lawsuit to go ahead over FPL outages during Hurricane Irma
TALLAHASSEE — An appeals court said Wednesday that Florida Power & Light can face a class-action lawsuit stemming from power outages in Hurricane Irma, which barreled up the state in...
Read more »
Published on 3/24/2023
